What are the long-term effects of treatment on survivors of childhood leukaemia? : a review of the literature

Purpose Key advances in cancer treatment have led to an increasing number of long-term cancer survivors. Knowledge of the long-term effects of cancer treatment on leukaemia survivors is to some degree limited. This article investigates the effects of the treatment of childhood leukaemia on the quality of life (QOL), the physical and the psychological wellbeing and general development of survivors. This article reviews current literature to examine existing gaps in knowledge and identify a potential focus of future research and clinical practice. Materials and methods Online systematic searching, along with historical searching took place in order to retrieve relevant primary research papers for the review. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the literature, to create a manageable amount of research papers. Results The extent of intellectual impairment among radiotherapy patients was significantly greater than those treated with chemotherapy only. Body composition, including endocrine function, is readily affected by cancer treatment. Early identification and interventions can greatly improve the QOL of survivors. Conclusion Further research into the effect of treatment modality on the extent of chronic effects, along with investigations into the needs of the whole family unit, is required. Future practice must take into account long-term implications while ensuring effective holistic care